“The Wolf Creek Waltz“… A song my son, Taylor, and I wrote together. Inspired by a campout at Wolf Creek, and the last original Pony Express and stagecoach stop there in Oregon. Featuring Michael Dowdle on acoustic guitars… to enhance my guitar tracks.

“Family Blues – 1990“… After being very sweet with the four kids on Christmas Eve, this satire spilled out after they were down for the night.

“In My Heart, Forever“... I wrote this with high hopes for my only daughter at age 3 in 1983… and it’s all come true. Featuring Michael Dowdle on guitar.

“Dad’s Hideaway Boogie“… Immediately after putting the kids down for bed, this was the high energy song I played on the piano until working down to the lullaby’s. Here, I recorded it as I imagined it… with Michael Dowdle adding the finishing touch for me on his Les Paul guitar, by special request.

“Bright Eyes“… I witnessed the “most alert” newborn birth of my granddaughter, Morgan… and had this song written in my mind while driving home a few days later.

“Ashokan Farewell“… This haunting melody by Jay Ungar is a favorite of mine. I play it on multiple instruments… so I decided to record them all together, as a bit of a tribute. This features the mandolin, in particular.

Scout Songs

… after nearly a quarter century as a registered adult Scout leader, with three sons… as my youngest son, Logan, said, “Dad, we’ve got memories on top of memories.”

“The Boy Scout Blues“… My friend and mentor, Brett Raymond arranged and recorded this song of mine about a generic summary of the Boy Scout experience and spirit. This and the next two were recorded in the year 2000. Featuring Brett Raymond in total, with Michael Dowdle on steel and slide guitars.

“Come & Get It” I updated the lyrics from a 1933 Sons of the Pioneers song, and Brett updated the cowboy music and recorded this for me. Featuring Brett Raymond in total, and Michael Dowdle on guitars.

“Ashokan Farewell (Scouting Version)” Jay Ungar, a former Cub Scout, graciously let me adapt some lyrics his partner wrote for this wonderful fiddle tune of his. Brett Raymond recorded it for me… and we all were giving back a bit… to capture the spirit of Scouting in a fine moment. Featuring Brett Raymond in total, with Michael Dowdle on guitars.

“The Skeeter Duel“... this is the first song I recorded completely on my own… and I was playing around with lots of things for fun.

“Eagle“… I felt the lofty ideals of Eagle Scouts needed an anthem to commemorate them.

“Early Mountain Summer“... after recording #1-3 above for me, Brett said he got into his own Scouting memories and wrote and recorded this instrumental about his first Spring campouts overlooking the valley below the Wasatch Mountain Range. 15 years later, I wrote these lyrics and melody line to overlay his fine instrumental that features Michael Dowdle on multiple guitar tracks, as well.

NOTE: I have identified dozens of additional song opportunities in this category. It’s just takes time to get to them. The fun, foibles, and fulfillment of youth are a joy to me.